Catholic Identity and Mission 

Feast of Mary Mackillop & Feast of the Transfiguration 

We have been very blessed to have celebrated two very important Feast Days in the last 2 weeks. St Mary of the Cross Mackillop is the Patron Saint of Australia along with Mary Help of Christians. She was an advocate for the poor and those striving for an education. She believed that all children had a right to be educated, and tried to make this viable throughout South Australia.  We continue these beliefs at St Gabriel's School how we “Never see a need without doing something about it” and how we apply this within our 4 OLSH Pillars. 

The Transfiguration of the Lord  is sometimes a difficult concept and topic to talk to children about. 

Jesus took Peter, James, and John up onto a mountain to be alone. These disciples witnessed an amazing event. As they watched, Jesus transfigured (changed appearance). His face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Although they had been long dead, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus and the three of them spoke together. Finally, a cloud enveloped them and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son . . . listen to him.”

In this story God is teaching the disciples and us what we should be doing.  We are to listen to Jesus' words and do as he asks.  It is like our bosses, parents and teachers, sometimes we do not like what they have to say to us but we know they are doing it because they have our best intentions in mind.  Jesus did the same, the disciples did not always like what Jesus said to them but he was trying to guide them to a new way of life. 

Karla Sparapani

APRIM